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Predicting the knockout rounds of EURO 2016

By Joe Prince-WrightJun 24, 2016, 1:00 PM EDT
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16 teams left. Who will win it all?

[ MORE: Latest EURO 2016 news ]

On Saturday the Round of 16 begins at EURO 2016 and our writers have decided to pick their full brackets for the knockout rounds in France. After we predicted how things would go before the tournament started, it’s only fair we get a shot at redemption…

Will it be a three-peat for Spain? Can World Cup holders Germany continue their dominance? Will the hosts win it all? Or maybe, just maybe, a dark horse and first-time winner will emerge.

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Below you will find our predictions. Get involved in the comments section below and tell us yours.

Joe Prince-Wright

Round of 16

Poland defeat Switzerland
Croatia defeat Portugal
Wales defeat Northern Ireland
Belgium defeat Hungary
Germany defeat Slovakia
Spain defeat Italy
Republic of Ireland defeat France
England defeat Iceland

Quarterfinals

Croatia defeat Poland
Belgium defeat Wales
Germany defeat Spain
England defeat Republic of Ireland

Semifinals

Belgium defeat Croatia
Germany defeat England

Final

Germany defeat Belgium

Nicholas Mendola

Round of 16

Poland defeat Switzerland
Croatia defeat Portugal
Wales defeat Northern Ireland
Hungary defeat Belgium
Germany defeat Slovakia
Italy defeat Spain
France defeat Republic of Ireland
England defeat Iceland

Quarterfinals

Croatia defeat Poland
Wales defeat Hungary
Germany defeat Italy
France defeat England

Semifinals

Croatia defeat Wales
Germany defeat France

Final

Germany defeat Croatia

Kyle Bonn

Round of 16

Poland defeat Switzerland
Croatia defeat Portugal
Wales defeat Northern Ireland
Belgium defeat Hungary
Germany defeat Slovakia
Spain defeat Italy
France defeat Republic of Ireland
Iceland defeat England

Quarterfinals

Poland defeat Croatia
Wales defeat Belgium
Spain defeat Germany
France defeat Iceland

Semifinals

Poland defeat Wales
Spain defeat France

Final

Spain defeat Poland

Andy Edwards

Round of 16

Poland defeat Switzerland
Croatia defeat Portugal
Wales defeat Northern Ireland
Belgium defeat Hungary
Germany defeat Slovakia
Spain defeat Italy
France defeat Republic of Ireland
England defeat Iceland

Quarterfinals

Poland defeat Croatia
Belgium defeat Wales
Spain defeat Germany
France defeat England

Semifinals

Belgium defeat Poland
Spain defeat France

Final

Spain defeat Belgium

Kyle Lynch

Round of 16

Poland defeat Switzerland
Croatia defeat Portugal
Wales defeat Northern Ireland
Belgium defeat Hungary
Spain defeat Italy
Germany defeat Slovakia
France defeat Republic of Ireland
England defeat Iceland

Quarterfinals

Croatia defeat Poland
Belgium defeat Wales
Spain defeat Germany
France defeat England

Semifinals

Croatia defeat Belgium
Spain defeat France

Final

Spain defeat Croatia

Matt Reed

Round of 16

Switzerland defeat Poland
Croatia defeat Portugal
Wales defeat Northern Ireland
Belgium defeat Hungary
Germany defeat Slovakia
Italy defeat Spain
France defeat Republic of Ireland
Iceland defeat England

Quarterfinals

Croatia defeat Switzerland
Belgium defeat Wales
Italy defeat Germany
France defeat Iceland

Semifinals

Belgium defeat Croatia
France defeat Italy

Final

France defeat Belgium

La Liga roundup: Barcelona, Real Madrid remain level on points after wins (video)

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By Joel SoriaDec 7, 2019, 8:58 PM EST
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Routine wins from league favorites Barcelona and Real Madrid, highlight La Liga’s Saturday action.

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Barcelona 5-2 RCD Mallorca

It was a special night at Barcelona’s Camp Nou.

Fresh from winning the Ballon d’Or for a record sixth time, Lionel Messi was greeted by his three children on the field, who handed him a shinny, golden ball – given yearly to the best player in the world – prior to the first whistle.

From that point on, it was evident that it would be all smiles for everyone tied to the defending champions at the stadium (and for those watching remotely) on Saturday.

 

That was the case.

Antoine Griezmann – a topic of conversation due to lack of productivity at Barcelona this season – kicked off the game with a solo run and subsequent goal in the seventh minute, opening the floodgates.

As a celebration of his latest, individual accomplishment, Messi showcased the power and precision of his left foot at the tune of a hat-trick. The Argentine ace scored twice in the first half and another in consolation time, putting his season total mark at a league-best 12 goals.

The moment and goal of the night (possibly of the season) didn’t directly involve Messi, however. With a daring, emphatic and genius back-heel strike, not only did Luis Suarez put the home side up 4-1, but cemented himself in the ballot for best goal of the season.

With 34 and a better goal differential than Real Madrid, Barcelona remain atop of La Liga ahead of their clash with Inter Milan on Tuesday, while Mallorca hope Ante Budimir can score another brace; this time against a struggling Celta Vigo next weekend.

Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol

With goals from Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane, Real Madrid comfortably cruised past a struggling Espanyol.

With the majority of Real Madrid in Espanyol’s final third following a recovered free-kick attempt, Benzema charged his way into the box before laying off a ball to Varane, who not a proven goalscorer whatsoever, placed the ball into the back of the net with ease.

It was the 37th minute, and the home side were up 1-0 against a poor Espanyol.

With a notable superior style at hand, Los Blancos continued to surge forward. Opportunities at goal were generated but the ball wouldn’t go past ex-Real Madrid ‘keeper Diego Lopez.

Then, in the 79th minute, Benzema registered his 11th goal of the season, finishing an off-balance pass from Federico Valverde inside the box.

Winners in their last La Liga bouts, Real Madrid now prepare for their Champions League Group Stage finale against Club Brugge midweek. Espanyol, despite being in the drop zone, host CSKA Moscow in their Europa League Group Stage finale. The Catalonian club lead Group H with 11 points after five matches.

Elsewhere in La Liga

Granada 3-0 Alaves

Levante 2-4 Valencia

Ancelotti’s future uncertain after Napoli draws at Udinese

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Associated PressDec 7, 2019, 6:27 PM EST
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ROME (AP) Carlo Ancelotti’s future as Napoli coach is uncertain after his team failed to beat Udinese on Saturday in Serie A.

The 1-1 draw extended Napoli’s winless run to nine matches in all competitions. Piotr Zelinski saved Napoli with a late goal that salvaged a point for the visitors.

Amid reports that Ancelotti could soon be fired, Napoli, which had won its last six league matches against Udinese, went a goal down after a counterattack which was finished by Kevin Lasagna in the 32nd minute.

Napoli improved after Fernando Llorente replaced an uninspired Lorenzo Insigne in the second half. It equalized after a good combination between Dries Mertens and Zielinski, who wrongfooted the Udinese ‘keeper with a shot into the bottom corner.

Also, Atalanta twice came from behind after Samuel Di Carmine’s two goals to beat Hellas Verona 3-2 with a late winner from Berat Djimsiti, who volleyed home from close range.

—

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports

Kyle Walker: City catching up to Liverpool ‘difficult’ after derby loss to United

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By Joel SoriaDec 7, 2019, 6:22 PM EST
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After a crushing 2-1 loss to archrival Manchester United at home, 14 is the new magic number for Pep Guardiola and company.

14 is the number of points that Manchester City trail league leaders Liverpool by, an uphill battle that is influencing many people on the outside looking in to think that City’s chances of lifting the league’s silverware for a third straight season are officially done and dusted.

That’s not the narrative that is occupying Kyle Walker‘s train of thought, however. Speaking on behalf of his City teammates and himself, the defender is keen on fighting until they’re mathematically out of contention for the title, regardless if the standings show that Liverpool have yet to suffer a defeat this season after 16 matches.

“Can’t fault the manager,” Walker told Sky Sports following City’s second Premier League loss in five games. “He has won numerous trophies. I can’t put my finger on it. It is going to be difficult, Liverpool are on fire. They [Liverpool] are getting wins and we are not. It is a big gap but we will fight until the end.”

A consolation goal from Nicolas Otamendi in the 85th minutes wasn’t enough for the Cityzens, who endured a fourth league loss this season, matching last season’s number of losses throughout 38 games.

After the dispiriting derby day performance from City, the defending champions stand at 32 points after 16 bouts, the lowest point haul for Guardiola in his 11-year top-flight management career.

No team in league history has overcome a 14-point deficit. Since late October, City are yet to record a clean sheet, an apparent issue that Walker believes he and the rest of the team’s defenders need to address in order to return to old ways.

“Us as defenders need to hold our hands up,” he said. “We need to keep clean sheets and strikers maybe need to put more away. They had a game plan and it worked. They have quick players in quick areas and they are going to hurt you on the counter. Credit where credit is due, they stepped up today. Fair play.”

WATCH: Luis Suarez delivers one-of-a-kind back-heel goal

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By Joel SoriaDec 7, 2019, 5:13 PM EST
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At 32 years of age and with a 15-year career behind him, Luis Suarez has scored some emphatic goals.

On Saturday, however, he painted a fine piece of art, a goal that became an instant classic the moment the ball came off of his backheel. With Barcelona already up 3-1 against RCD Mallorca, Ernesto Valverde’s men continued to push forward, comfortably and strategically ping-ponging the ball around the defensive-oriented visitors.

And then Frenkie de Jong found the ball at the top of the box.

The Dutch international smoothly placed a through ball, finding Suarez, who with precision and expertise that only he has, belted the ball into the bottom-right corner of Manolo Reina’s goal.

It’s only December, but the Uruguayan’s goal is an automatic La Liga goal of the season contender: